ISE Network
Independence is the foundation of our work
The Institute for Rare Earths and Metals AG is an independent provider of information, testing, analysis, valuation, certification and storage services.
ISE does not buy or sell metals or rare earths, does not trade on its own account in customers’ goods, and does not act as an intermediary in purchase or sale transactions. ISE does not become a party to any commercial transaction and does not provide any guarantee of brokerage, conclusion, financing or success.
This clear distinction is essential to our independence as analysts, evaluators and documentation service providers.
A professional network built up over many years
Since ISE was founded, an international network spanning various sectors of the metals industry has emerged. This includes, amongst others:
- Mine operators and producers
- Manufacturers and processors
- Laboratories and technical specialists
- Logistics and warehousing companies
- Independent metal traders
- Banks, auditors and financial institutions
- Research and educational institutions
- Industrial end-users
- Private and institutional owners of metals
The network supports ISE in particular with market monitoring, the technical classification of metal products and the determination of price indications.
The information obtained in this context may include manufacturers’ quotations, traders’ details, price lists, market intelligence, documented quotations and other external indicators. Not every price quotation is based on an actual sale.
Not a trading platform or brokerage service
The ISE network is not a stock exchange, a public trading platform or a marketplace for metals.
The provision of market information, contact details, analyses, valuations, certificates or other documents does not imply that ISE initiates or brokers a trade. ISE does not receive any remuneration contingent upon the conclusion of a sale or the level of a sale price.
Where clients contact external market participants independently, these parties act solely in their own name and on their own responsibility. A contract of sale or purchase is concluded exclusively between the parties involved.
A price indication is not a promise to sell
ISE determines prices and valuations to the best of its knowledge, based on the information available on the relevant valuation date and the specific terms of the agreed order.
For numerous high-purity metals, rare earths and specialised products, there are no official or continuously quoted exchange prices. The prices actually achievable on the market may therefore differ from an ISE price indication.
Key influencing factors include, in particular:
- Volume and market liquidity
- Purity and product specification
- Shape, grain size and composition
- Origin and documentation
- Packaging and storage location
- Delivery date and terms
- Transport, insurance and transaction costs
An ISE valuation does not constitute a guarantee that goods can be sold, purchased, financed or used as collateral at the stated price.
A price quoted for the smallest unit – for example, one gram – must not be extrapolated linearly to the total quantity. Any statement regarding the value of a complete batch of goods requires a separate, batch-specific assignment, such as a metal audit.
Documentation and verification
ISE documents apply exclusively to the valuation date, subject of the assessment, intended use and scope of services specified therein.
Where ISE valuations, analyses or certificates are submitted by third parties, we recommend that their authenticity, validity and permissible use be verified directly with ISE prior to any commercial decision.
Verification merely confirms the authenticity and the explicitly documented content. It does not replace an independent legal, commercial, financial or technical review of the intended transaction.
Confidentiality and clear roles
Information from our network is treated confidentially and in accordance with applicable data protection and contractual provisions.
Our network partners remain legally and commercially independent. Membership of the ISE network does not confer any power of representation, nor does it establish any corporate connection, exclusivity or liability on the part of ISE for the actions of a network partner.
Do you require analysis, evaluation or storage?
If you would like to have high-purity metals or rare earths analysed, documented, assessed or stored, please do not hesitate to contact us.
We will explain to you in a transparent manner which services ISE provides itself, what scope of testing can be agreed upon, and which services may be carried out by independent external specialists where applicable.